Chapter 8, Sudden Change

"Assassin? So impressive." Wang Yuan stuck out his tongue and stood properly in the shadow at the end of the line

At present, Zhao Fang is taking the lead, and the guards of the neighborhood are lighting torches, assigning search personnel according to the familiar night watch areas. Moments later, they disperse into every corner of the neighborhood and begin a thorough search. In an instant, Yong'an Neighborhood is in chaos, with people in a state of panic and unrest.

Wang Yuan was secretly astonished; such a grand spectacle indicated that the masked woman he had saved must have committed a serious offense. He was uncertain about the consequences that his impulsive act of saving her would bring. However, Wang Yuan did not regret it. On the contrary, after a month of dull days, the sudden emergence of this event brought him an inexplicable excitement.

Zhao Fang, accompanied by several village heads, had already left Yong'an Fang and was heading east towards Wuhou Pavilion on Qingming Street to pay a visit to the street patrol officer. The group could only stretch their necks in the cold wind, waiting for news. From the open gate of the alley, one could see groups of cavalry from Wuhou, brandishing torches and galloping down the street, creating a tense atmosphere

Wang Yuan furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth and bent down to pick up the unconscious woman in black. He sprinted along the familiar narrow alley, and within a few minutes, he arrived outside his small courtyard. Looking around and seeing nothing unusual, Wang Yuan quickly entered the house and placed the unconscious woman on the bed. In a flurry, he tore apart a piece of tattered clothing and hastily bandaged the wound on the woman's shoulder, then pulled the blanket tightly over her.

Having completed these tasks, Wang Yuan was already panting and his face was pale, with his heart racing anxiously. He knew he could not delay any longer; the townsfolk outside had already gathered, and if he did not appear soon, it would raise suspicion. Before leaving, Wang Yuan made sure to carefully wash the bloodstains off his hands and tidied himself up before quickly heading towards the southern gate.

Wang Yuan is also looking forward to the Lantern Festival, not because of the three-day holiday. In fact, at his suggestion, he and Huang San privately implemented a shift system, alternating between day and night, which made both of them much more comfortable. Similar to the matter of taking in outsiders to earn extra income, Huang San was initially opposed, but after tasting the benefits, he never voiced a single objection again

The crowd exclaimed: "Understood"

Wang Yuan was somewhat hopeful because the fourteenth day of the first lunar month happened to mark the completion of his one-month apprenticeship. In Wang Yuan's plan, the two guan monthly stipend was intended to support some of his ideas. He was eager to obtain this sum of money, perhaps to buy some paper and pens to write poetry and prose for sale, as it seemed there might be a market for this in the Tang Dynasty. Wang Yuan was not entirely certain, but he always wanted to give it a try

Chen Tou'er scolded: "You ask me, who should I ask? I was sleeping soundly when I was disturbed. Zhao Fang is currently going to pay a visit to the city patrol officer, and everyone is here on standby waiting. It seems that there are assassins who have escaped from the eastern Wan Nian County's jurisdiction and have disappeared near our Yong'an Fang.

"Please... ... you... ... save my life." The masked person suddenly spoke, their voice delicate and weak, seemingly belonging to a woman

Wang Yuan steadied himself, holding a lantern in one hand and raising a wooden stick high with the other as he slowly moved forward. Upon reaching a few steps away from where the sound originated, he extended the lantern ahead to examine carefully. In the illuminated area, a pair of terrified big eyes suddenly met Wang Yuan's gaze, startling him to step back a few paces, nearly causing him to cry out.

Amidst the noise, there was movement in the nearby residences, with several windows lighting up, indicating that some citizens had already risen to observe the situation. The masked woman was breathing heavily, and suddenly her body went limp and collapsed to the ground. Wang Yuan was startled and checked her breath, discovering that she was still alive. However, her black night attire was already soaked with blood, suggesting that she had fainted.

A rustling sound came from beneath the wall, yet there was no response.

However, as Wang Yuan walked along the wall towards the main street of the alley, he seemed to hear a strange sound coming from the wall ahead. Against the backdrop of the dim light in the sky, Wang Yuan clearly saw a black shadow flash and disappear above the wall at an angle.

The officials of each neighborhood immediately began searching for the assassin. The officials from Yong'an Fang, Yanfu Fang, Feng'an, Xuanyi, and Duny Fang were all heading to Wuhou Pavilion on Qingming Street to meet with General Gao, the city patrol commander. Outside the neighborhood walls, the shouts of the Jinwu Guards on horseback could already be heard, and the sound of hurried footsteps echoed along the main street of Yong'an Fang, clearly indicating that the officials had received the news and were gathering.

On the night before the Lantern Festival, the fourteenth day of the first month, after the hour of the Rat, Wang Yuan arrived at the Fangding shop on time as usual to take over his shift. After giving a few instructions, Huang San returned home to rest. Wang Yuan, carrying a lantern, patrolled the area under the jurisdiction of the South Fang Gate of Yong'an Fang, which was empty and deserted.

When Wang Yuan arrived, the South Square Gate had already been opened. A dozen or so square attendants were gathered in the open space inside the gate, discussing animatedly. Huang San, who was at the end of the line, finally breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Wang Yuan arrive. The head attendant, Chen, glared and scolded, "Wang Erlang, where have you been slacking off? Didn't you hear the commotion outside?"

As the Lantern Festival approaches, the atmosphere in the shops of Yong'an Lane has become lively once again. For the more than a dozen night watchmen, the three days of the Lantern Festival, when the curfew is lifted, represent their only holiday of the year. It is during these three days that the watchmen can enjoy a normal life, while at other times they live in a reversed schedule, sleeping during the day and working at night.

Wang Yuan, holding his stomach and smiling apologetically, said: "How could I dare to be lazy? I just got my stomach frozen and it's urgent, I had no choice but to go to the restroom. What happened?"

There was a figure in black leaning against a low thicket, with a black cloth covering his head and face, leaving only his eyes visible. One hand was propped on the ground, while the other hand covered his shoulder, where an arrow was embedded in the shoulder joint, and blood was slowly seeping out from the gap in his palm.

Wang Yuan held his breath and listened intently, as the noise grew increasingly closer, coming from the streets surrounding Yong'an Fang and heading southwest. The shouts became clearer and more intermittent: "Each district... night watchmen... Listen, an assassin has fled to... the nearby district, Jinwu Guard... General Gao Meng of the city patrol has issued an order, commanding each district to immediately search for suspicious individuals, and to report any suspicious clues without delay. The streets under the jurisdiction of the Jinwu Guard must be sealed off immediately... An order has been given, commanding each district to immediately search for suspicious individuals, and to report any suspicious clues without delay. The streets under the jurisdiction of the Jinwu Guard must be sealed off immediately... Strictly prevent the escape of the assassin."

Ladies and gentlemen, an assassin has escaped and vanished nearby. General Gao Meng of the city patrol has mobilized the Jinwu Guard to seal off all streets in the six neighborhoods nearby. General Gao has ordered each neighborhood to conduct searches within their own areas. You must all search diligently; we cannot allow the assassin to hide within Yong'an neighborhood, or else it will be a serious matter. From now on, each direction is responsible for its own area, and all neighborhood heads and guards must participate in the search. Report any suspicious clues promptly. Is that understood?

Wang Yuan's heart raced wildly, and reason told him that he should quickly report this matter to Captain Fang Ding and the officials of the Li Zheng Fang. It was evident that this was an uninvited guest intruding into Yong'an Fang. Wang Yuan's first reaction was to grab the gong resting on his shoulder, which was a tool for signaling alarms. However, suddenly, he faintly heard the sound of thundering hooves and shouts coming from the northeast street of Yong'an Fang, carried by the wind

Approximately a quarter of an hour later, Zhao Fangzheng, panting heavily, returned with seven or eight village heads from Yong'an Fang. After instructing the guards to close the village gate, Zhao Fangzheng conveyed the orders from the Jinwu Guard's city patrol officer

Wang Yuan's scalp began to feel tight. Having been a workshop apprentice for a month, he had never truly encountered a situation. Just as he was hesitating whether to keep his distance, he suddenly heard a loud "bang," as if a heavy object had fallen to the ground

"I beg you... I am truly not an assassin... I am being hunted. If you can save my life, I will be greatly indebted to you." The masked person gasped for breath, and this time Wang Yuan was certain that she was a woman

In Wang Yuan's heart, it was as clear as a mirror; the person before him was likely the assassin being pursued and clamored for by the Jinwu Guard outside, who had nowhere to escape and had intruded into Yong'an Alley. Wang Yuan looked at the masked night traveler on the ground and saw that the person's eyes were filled with terror, indicating that he must have also heard the commotion outside

Wang Yuan tightened his uniform, huddled his body, and quickened his pace. After completing the patrol of the southern alley four lanes west of the South Fang Gate and confirming that everything was peaceful and in order, Wang Yuan hurriedly turned around and headed towards the Fang Ding shop on Cross Street, where he could take a short break, drink some hot water, and warm himself by the fire

The sky was very dark, completely covered by ominous clouds that obscured the full moon that should have been hanging high above. The northwesterly wind blew fiercely, whistling as it passed through the treetops, while gusts of wind swirled up the fallen leaves and dust from the streets and alleys, causing Wang Yuan's eyes to be so dazzled that he could hardly open them.

"Who?" Wang Yuan called out in a low voice

Wang Yuan hesitated; reason told him that he should immediately strike the gong to announce the news, yet he seemed reluctant to do so